13/10/2009
Brighton Bomber At Westminster
One of the most daring - and deadly - republican bomb outrages on the British mainland was remembered last night - while the bomber responsible was today hosted in Westminster.
The memorial service was held to mark the 25th anniversary of the IRA bomb attack on Brighton's Grand Hotel, aimed at the then Conservative Government.
The blast ripped through the Victorian hotel in the East Sussex resort on October 12, 1984, during the Conservative Party conference, killing five people and seriously injuring 34.
Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was unharmed despite working on her conference speech inside the hotel at the time of the explosion just before 3am.
Her Cabinet colleague Lord Tebbit was rescued from the rubble alongside his wife Margaret, who was left paralysed.
The couple were among the dignitaries attending the service at St Paul's Parish Church in West Street, Brighton, to pay tribute to those who lost their lives or were injured in the attack.
IRA bomber Patrick Magee was given eight life sentences at the Old Bailey in 1986 for the attack, with a recommendation to serve a minimum of 35 years.
He has since been released from prison under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.
Mr Magee is still provoking controversy, as his presence inside London's Parliament Buildings was today condemned as an "appalling insult", coming 25 years after the atrocity.
Patrick Magee attended a function at the House of Commons on Tuesday, organised by the All Parliamentary Group on Conflict Issues and UK-based charity, The Forgiveness Project.
Magee appeared at the Commons alongside Jo Berry, a daughter of Conservative MP Sir Anthony Berry, one of the casualties.
Unionists last night voiced their disapproval at the nature of the high profile appointment for the republican.
DUP MP Gregory Campbell questioned the rationale behind the invitation to the IRA bomber.
TUV Leader Jim Allister also condemned Mr Magee's visit to Parliament.
"It is an appalling insult to every innocent victim but sadly no greater insult than the fact every day at Stormont we have sitting at the heart of government those who masterminded the Brighton bombing," he told the Belfast News Letter.
Meanwhile, one of the Brighton bomb victims, Tory Peer Lord Tebbit, also poured scorn on the IRA bomber, having just yesterday attended the memorial service for those killed and injured.
See: Brighton Bombing Recalled
(BMcC/KMcA)
The memorial service was held to mark the 25th anniversary of the IRA bomb attack on Brighton's Grand Hotel, aimed at the then Conservative Government.
The blast ripped through the Victorian hotel in the East Sussex resort on October 12, 1984, during the Conservative Party conference, killing five people and seriously injuring 34.
Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was unharmed despite working on her conference speech inside the hotel at the time of the explosion just before 3am.
Her Cabinet colleague Lord Tebbit was rescued from the rubble alongside his wife Margaret, who was left paralysed.
The couple were among the dignitaries attending the service at St Paul's Parish Church in West Street, Brighton, to pay tribute to those who lost their lives or were injured in the attack.
IRA bomber Patrick Magee was given eight life sentences at the Old Bailey in 1986 for the attack, with a recommendation to serve a minimum of 35 years.
He has since been released from prison under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.
Mr Magee is still provoking controversy, as his presence inside London's Parliament Buildings was today condemned as an "appalling insult", coming 25 years after the atrocity.
Patrick Magee attended a function at the House of Commons on Tuesday, organised by the All Parliamentary Group on Conflict Issues and UK-based charity, The Forgiveness Project.
Magee appeared at the Commons alongside Jo Berry, a daughter of Conservative MP Sir Anthony Berry, one of the casualties.
Unionists last night voiced their disapproval at the nature of the high profile appointment for the republican.
DUP MP Gregory Campbell questioned the rationale behind the invitation to the IRA bomber.
TUV Leader Jim Allister also condemned Mr Magee's visit to Parliament.
"It is an appalling insult to every innocent victim but sadly no greater insult than the fact every day at Stormont we have sitting at the heart of government those who masterminded the Brighton bombing," he told the Belfast News Letter.
Meanwhile, one of the Brighton bomb victims, Tory Peer Lord Tebbit, also poured scorn on the IRA bomber, having just yesterday attended the memorial service for those killed and injured.
See: Brighton Bombing Recalled
(BMcC/KMcA)
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Autumn Arrives: Official
Today will see the last of the unseasonable high temperatures, with even frost predicted in Scotland by the end of the current week. The autumn solstice has already occurred - albeit in the midst of a virtual heat wave last week - as a new record temperature for October of 29.4C (84.92F) was set yesterday.
19 June 2008
Bristol Is Wheelie Good City
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Bristol Is Wheelie Good City
Bristol could give Amsterdam a run for its money as it has been appointed the UK's first official Cycling City. Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly made the announcement which is part of a £100 million Government scheme to promote cycling.
04 April 2006
Anti-war protestors to stage demonstrations at the BBC
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Anti-war protestors to stage demonstrations at the BBC
Anti-war protestors are planning a series of demonstrations at BBC offices across the UK today. The Stop The War Coalition said that the protests were in response to the BBC's failure to cover a previous demonstration last month, as well as in protest at the "general pro-government bias" in some of its reporting on the war.
17 November 2004
British soldier wounded in roadside bomb attack
A British soldier has been wounded in a roadside bomb attack near Camp Dogwood today. The soldier was injured when a Black Watch Warrior armoured personnel carrier was damaged in a roadside bomb attack whilst on patrol east of the Euphrates. The soldier was evacuated to a US military hospital in Baghdad.
British soldier wounded in roadside bomb attack
A British soldier has been wounded in a roadside bomb attack near Camp Dogwood today. The soldier was injured when a Black Watch Warrior armoured personnel carrier was damaged in a roadside bomb attack whilst on patrol east of the Euphrates. The soldier was evacuated to a US military hospital in Baghdad.
12 October 2009
Brighton Bombing Recalled
Those who died in a horror bomb attack that targeted Margaret Thatcher are to be recalled today as a service is held to mark the 25th anniversary of the IRA bomb attack on Brighton's Grand Hotel.
Brighton Bombing Recalled
Those who died in a horror bomb attack that targeted Margaret Thatcher are to be recalled today as a service is held to mark the 25th anniversary of the IRA bomb attack on Brighton's Grand Hotel.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.